The method for recording the view is classic : Harris makes sketches in pencil during his trips. Back in his studio he observes the geometric principles in his own panoramas and highlights them in bright colors.
On November 22 in Toronto, Heffel sells a view of partially snow-capped mountains over Maligne Lake in the province of Alberta. The immaculate snow draws the eye towards the upper part and reveals the tectonic folds difficult to observe in the dark of the rest of the image.
Dated 1925 this oil on canvas 103 x 133 cm was exhibited in 1926 in a Toronto gallery. Disparagers question whether the artist wants to display a dehumanized landscape or an umbrella.
Encouraged by these protests, Harris goes even further. He paints in the same year his masterpiece simply titled Mountain Form. The size 152 x 178 cm is even larger and the geometric beauty of the mountain is enhanced by the removal of secondary reliefs. This oil on canvas was sold for $ 11.2M CAD including premium by Heffel on November 23, 2016.
Let us go back to the Maligne Lake Mountains for the next sale. The oil on canvas is estimated $ 2.5M CAD, lot 118. It is illustrated in the press release announcing the sale. The next lot in that sale, 119, is its 11.4 x 19.7 cm graphite sketch estimated $ 8K CAD.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
Painting SOLD for $ 3M CAD
Sketch SOLD for $ 7.5K CAD
There’s a very exciting live action happening Nov 22 at the #Toronto Design Exchange offering over 100 masterpieces from Canada and around the world @HeffelAuction https://t.co/NXFOSvzueu pic.twitter.com/SLL0iK7Mu0
— Toronto Guardian (@TORGuardian) November 17, 2017